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I'm an avid traveler and this is the one carry-on that I recommend to everyone I know — and it's on sale
Whisper-quiet wheels and stealth exterior storage make this a must-have piece of luggage for all types of travel.
Some people love shoes and some love cars — well, I love travel gear. No, really! Every time I invest in a quality travel accessory from a carry-on to a weekender bag, I take the time to research if it's worth my money and if I would recommend it to friends and family, all of whom have somehow made me their personal in-house travel shopper. This brings me to my top-suggested carry-on that I've gotten more than five loved ones to buy (and they're obsessed) — and that's the Monos Carry-On Pro.
It has a dedicated front pocket for easy access to your passport, laptop and more and it's just the right size for storage in the overhead compartment on commercial flights.
Why is this a good deal?
Monos is a buzz-worthy brand that's been turning heads for good reason. For me, that reason is their ability to provide luxury quality at approachable prices. Using sustainable and cruelty-free materials, they combine style and substance with impressive durability. If you've ever been curious about Monos, their Carry-On Pro is just the item to make you a convert. And right now you can grab the virally popular roller bag at a 20% savings during the brand's sitewide sale. Just use the code FORTHEM to snag the deal!
Why do I need this?
Whisper-quiet wheels that can glide over cobblestones, carpets and airport floors with aplomb and a lightweight, unbreakable aerospace-grade polycarbonate shell are just the start. A stealth front pocket allows for easy access to well-organized storage and integrated features like a TSA-approved lock, an anti-microbial laundry bag and an internal compression panel are all top-shelf features that you get at an accessible price point.
The brilliantly-designed front compartment, however, is what really makes the Carry-On Pro a must have. For reference, I use it to store my passport, earbuds, wallet, Kindle and more. This front compartment perfectly fits my 15-inch laptop and protects it under the same aerospace-grade polycarbonate as the rest of the suitcase. In fact, the shell is actually unbreakable (and backed by a lifetime warranty).
All of this comes wrapped up in a perfectly sized, TSA and airline-approved package. For context, according to Kayak, the standard domestic carry-on luggage size is 22 by 14 by 9 inches, including the handle and wheels for roller bags. This carry-on's measurements fall within these guidelines (measuring 22 by 14 by 19, exactly), which means that the Monos Carry-On Pro takes the guessing game out of the size equation.
What reviewers say:
After using this carry-on constantly for over three years for both international and domestic travel, I've noticed that it's barely accumulated any scratches, dents or cracks. In fact, it only has one slightly noticeable scrape on the right side next to the handle where I accidentally ran it into an automatic door (embarrassing — I know).
I'm not the only one who swears by this high-quality piece of luggage. Over 1,300 Monos shoppers gave it a five-star rating with many saying it has enough room to pack for a multi-day trip!
One shopper said the Monos Carry-On Pro "worked great for a five-day trip" and even shared what she was able to pack in this roomy-yet-compact carry-on. "I was able to fit three pairs of shoes, two bathing suits/coverups, five days of clothes, a medium-sized toiletry bag, a 15.6-inch laptop and battery and a couple of small books," the five-star reviewer shared.
Another shopper who purchased this suitcase for his daughter as a graduation gift said he was pleased to see that it "fits in the overhead bin on every airline we have found." The same reviewer even added that "the front zipper area is brilliant."
Its extremely lightweight design is another green flag for shoppers. One shopper added that though it's light, it doesn't feel or look cheap. Their exact words were that it's "robust yet light."
The only con a couple of shoppers shared is that the button to adjust the handle height is located under the handle, unlike most other suitcases where it's located at the top. Since it's located at the bottom, the reviewer said that "you may accidentally press the button to adjust the height." However, the same reviewer said that "truly is the only con" and is a feature that just takes a little getting used to.
It also has an aerospace-grade polycarbonate shell that the brand says is actually "unbreakable." And, after using it for years, I can confidently say this seems to be true!
If you're looking to take advantage of this 20% off sale and scoop up a companion for your Carry-On Pro, the Monos Metro Duffel and Carry-All Duffel are my two top recommendations! I've used both as personal items on flights (and they both fit under the seat on airplanes).
I have to be honest and share, though, that I have a soft spot for the Metro Duffel since I've used it more times than I can count. It's small enough to hold the essentials and a few extras like a toiletry bag and one day's worth of clothes.
This has been my most-used personal item for years and I always use it in conjunction with my Monos Carry-On Pro. It has a trolley sleeve that keeps it securely in place on the carry-on's handle. Also, since the front pouch is detachable, I sometimes remove it if I don't need it or leave it on to store my passport, earbuds and other small essentials.
When I need a little more room while taking a longer trip, I use this slightly larger bag as my personal item and, like the Metro Duffel, it also has a trolley sleeve to keep it in place on top of your suitcase or carry-on. It has more of a slim bowling bag silhouette with one large compartment, a front pocket for easy passport access, two side pockets for storing a Kindle or notebook and inner pockets that fit up to a 14-inch laptop and more. Better yet, it surprisingly also fits under the seat on most commercial flights!
The reviews quoted above reflect the most recent versions at the time of publication.
